If I could laugh at his stubbornness, I would.
And yes, he would comfort her, the fool. Wren loves her. He’s always loved her. But now, despite myself, I care about the woman as well. So does Dax. For the first time since I sold my soul, I have something more to live for other than revenge. I don’t want my life to end here, on this floor, but Sybil’s poison isn’t leaving me a choice.
My traitorous blood rushes from my wounds as if in a frenzy to escape this condemned body. The poison is a slow river of fire spreading through me as I struggle to tell Wren what happened here. About Stephan, because it’s important he knows. I catch fragments of the surviving soldier’s confession and my fucking heart breaks as I watch Wren kill the bastard with Sybil’s tainted sword. Then the demon is there, in the dark, waiting for me.
This time he’s not smiling.
Maybe he finally realizes that when he bartered for my soul, he acquired something far darker and more feral than he could control.
Either way, in the end, we’re both fucked.
21
DAX
“Good morning, Little Captive.”
“That’s not nice, Dax.” Rapunzel rolls her eyes at my remark as I stroll inside Wren’s chamber. I come bearing gifts. Then her expression changes to confusion. “Wren isn’t here. Did he not tell you he was leaving to help at Haversville?”
Of course he did.
Last evening, Wren got it in his stubborn head to follow Quinn. He left me to watch over Rapunzel. Not a problem. There are worse duties than seeing to the safety of our little enchanted prisoner.
Which is one of the reasons I’m interrupting her bath…
I inhale the subtle aroma of roses as I cross the room, and when I reach the tub, I see delicate red petals floating in the water around Rapunzel’s flawless body. She does nothing to cover her modesty, and goddamn but I envy Wren. He has the luxury of sleeping beside her, which I suppose is fair. He’s known her since they were children, and no matter if he admits it or not, he loves her.
“Now, why would I come searching for that ornery asshole when you’re here wearing my favorite outfit?”
She scrunches her face, her nose wrinkling. A little laugh escapes her pink lips. “I’m not wearing anything at all, Dax.”
“Exactly.” I hold up the bundle in my arms. “But also, I bring treasure.”
Rapunzel’s lovely green eyes light with joy. “For me?”
I snort out a laugh. “It’s certainly not for Wren.”
She tilts her head and regards me curiously. “Why?”
“What? Bring you gifts?” Walking to the bed, I drop my bounty on the mattress. When I turn back around, I catch her nod. “Because I like you.” Too much, I silently add. I stroll to the tub with her gaze on me and I feel it like a physical touch. “Let me help you out of there, my lady, before you catch your death.”
She flips a lock of her damp hair. “Impossible.” Her playful wink is nothing short of captivating. “And you haven’t known me long enough to like me. For all you know, Wren could be correct about me being an awful person.”
Worse, I feat thatshebelieves it.
When she extends her hands, I grip them, marveling at how everything about her is graceful. “Rapunzel, you’ve allowed other people’s words to infect your mind.” I lift her from the water, transfixed for a moment, as I watch droplets of water slide over the lovely curves of her body. “Seems I have a difficult task of convincing you that you’re not the monster Sybil would have you believe you are.”
She averts her eyes sheepishly. “You can try.”
I grab a towel and wrap it around her, then help her out of the tub. “I’m quite persuasive.”
Rapunzel puts up a weak protest while I dry her. The stubborn woman even slaps my hands away. But I’m bigger and stronger and a born warrior. I also prove my argument about being persuasive when she eventually relents. Smugly, I accept this victory, and when I’m satisfied I’ve dried every drop of water from her incredible body—while wishing my tongue was the towel—I select a cream chemise from the trunk of clothing at the foot of the bed.
After I help Rapunzel into the garment, I lead her to the bed and point to the wrapped bundle sitting in the center of the mattress. “Figured you would appreciate more enjoyable ways to pass the time than listening to Wren’s grumbles.”
“You didn’t have to do this.” She gestures to the chemise. To the trunk. “I need nothing.” Then she gestures to the chamber. “Freedom from the tower was gift enough.”
“Freedom is well and good.” I kick up a brow, one corner of my mouth lifting in a grin. “But the clothes were a necessity. You would have caused quite the scandal if you were to run around Dyhurst naked.” I smooth my hands down her sides. Pull her against me and trail kisses along the column of her throat. “I’ve never wanted a woman the way I crave you.”
